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The Best Places to Have a Party in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is the entertainment capital of the world, so it’s no surprise that LA venues are ready to host every type of party, from elegant dinners to festive birthday celebrations and raucous bachelor parties. Read on for our guide to some of the best places in LA to have a party.

BIRTHDAY: Lucky Strike Hollywood

Known as “The Original,” Lucky Strike Hollywood is the very first Lucky Strike, located at the Hollywood & Highland Center. The 19,000 square-foot Lucky Strike Hollywood offers 12 state-of-the-art bowling lanes, tournament-quality billiards, and a private party room for you and up to 40 of your friends. For your birthday bash, Lucky Strike Hollywood offers an upscale event space, sophisticated menu, full-service bar, and cutting edge audio visual system. Party packages include a variety of catering, beverage and entertainment options.

GRADUATION: Lawry's the Prime Rib

Generations of families have celebrated their new graduate by dining at Lawry’s the Prime Rib, located on Restaurant Row in Beverly Hills. The elegant decor is the perfect setting to enjoy an iconic dinner menu that includes Lawry’s famous spinning salad bowl, mashed potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, and prime rib that’s carved tableside from gleaming silver carts.

One of college football’s most enduring traditions is the Lawry’s Beef Bowl, a pair of private dinner events during the Tournament of Roses that honor the teams playing in the Rose Bowl. The public can also order the massive Beef Bowl Cut, a double-sized cut with the rib bone.

POOL PARTY: W Los Angeles - Westwood

The sun is always shining in LA, so naturally there are pool parties galore nearly all year round. One of the hottest hotel pools in LA is at the W Los Angeles-Westwood, located across from UCLA near Sunset Blvd. Designed by Thom Felicia, WET has everything you’ll need for the ultimate pool party: heated outdoor lounge pool; private cabana rentals; cocktails and bar bites from The Backyard restaurant; poolside “Blissages” Monday-Thursday; and free WiFi so you can make everyone jealous on Facebook and Instagram.

Bachelor Party: AV Nightclub

After starting life as a Monday-only hotspot, the ultra-chic AV Nightclub in Hollywood now hosts fashionably dressed party people on Friday and Saturday as well. Located in the historic Marion building, AV features a stunning interior design that features 17th century Baroque accents and a state-of-the-art Funktion One sound system that pumps out DJ grooves and live performances. Send your bachelor off in style by reserving a VIP bottle service banquette booth, complete with customizable LED screen. The scene shifts into high gear when sexy ballerinas, go-go dancers and aerialists strut their stuff.

Bachelorette Party: Bagatelle LA

Located on La Cienega Boulevard, Bagatelle LA is an indoor-outdoor restaurant and event space that brings the South of France to West Hollywood. For dinner, guests can enjoy contemporary French cuisine in Bagatelle’s chic and sophisticated atmosphere. But it’s weekend brunch where Bagatelle really comes to life. Inspired by the energy of St. Tropez, Bagatelle LA takes brunch to another level with raucous Sunday parties that take place from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The restaurant is decorated and the staff gets dressed up for weekly themes such as Bastille Day, the 80s, Superheroes, and a Brazil Brunch that featured samba dancers and caipirinhas. The bachelorette and her besties will love the classic brunch dishes, handsome bartenders, world-famous DJs, communal punch bowls with giant straws, and flowing magnums of champagne.

ANNIVERSARY: The Lobster

The Lobster has served classic American seafood since 1925, and its current location at the top of the historic Santa Monica Pier offers breathtaking, 180-degree views of the Pacific Ocean. The Lobster is one of the most romantic restaurants in the city — with that spectacular sunset, it's no wonder there are as many as four or five marriage proposals a day here. Whether it’s just the two of you celebrating your first anniversary, or you’re hosting a Golden Anniversary banquet for 200 guests, The Lobster offers the perfect combination of fine dining and casual atmosphere.

FAMILY REUNION: San Antonio Winery

For large families, a reunion can often involve gathering relatives from across the country, and in some cases from around the world. What better place to host a multi-generational family reunion than at a family-owned winery? San Antonio Winery is the oldest producing winery in LA, operating at its Lincoln Heights location just east of Downtown since its founding in 1917. The winery was declared a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 1966. San Antonio Winery features tours, wine tasting and food events. Banquet rooms and a buyout of the entire winery are available. The onsite Maddalena Restaurant is open daily for casual dining among century-old redwood aging casks. Featuring Northern Italian and California cuisine, Maddalena serves lunch and early dinner, as well as weekend breakfast.

PROMOTION: Providence

After years of hard work, the bigwigs have welcomed you to the inner circle. Now that you have that corner office you’ve always dreamed of, it’s time for a proper celebration worthy of your new status. Recognized as one of the best seafood restaurants in the country, Providence has earned numerous accolades, including two Michelin stars and multiple James Beard Award nominations. Acclaimed chef Michael Cimarusti features a renowned, multi-course tasting menu that continues to earn raves from foodies for its extraordinary flavors and refined technique. Providence has private dining rooms that can host groups from 6 to 50 guests. A buyout of the entire restaurant is also available.

HALLOWEEN: The Magic Castle

Some of the best Halloween parties in the country happen in Los Angeles, from Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood to the Halloween Costume Carnaval in West Hollywood. For a truly unique Halloween party, book an event at the Magic Castle. Built in 1908, this authentic Victorian mansion in Hollywood is home to the Academy of Magical Arts, the world-renowned private club for magicians and lovers of magic. Events for large groups (125-360 guests) are available in the daytime and include formal food service; performances from the Magic Castle’s finest magicians; and piano music from “Invisible Irma,” the Magic Castle’s resident ghost, who takes song requests. Events for groups of 15 to 120 people are also available during the Magic Castle’s normal operating hours (5:30 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.), and include regularly scheduled restaurant service and magical performances.

HOLIDAYS: Spirit Cruises

From Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve and throughout the year, there’s nothing better than getting together with friends and family during the holidays. Departing from Ports O’Call Village in San Pedro, Spirit Cruises offers a variety of cruise and dinner packages for groups of two to 140 guests. Private Dinner Cruises include party buffet and reception packages for 40-140 guests, including a no-minimum cash bar, and a sound system for dancing. Spirited Packages are ideal for more intimate gatherings and corporate events for groups as small as 20 guests. Another option is to join a Sunset Dinner Cruise and enjoy dinner and dancing under the stars, available for groups of two to 40 guests.

Hornblower Cruises & Events offers dinner cruise and holiday party options for up to 500 guests from its departure point in Marina del Rey, the world's largest man-made small craft harbor.